Chesnee: Demographics & People
Chesnee is home to 896 people, in 350 households. Population grew 11.4% from 804 (2022) to 896 (2024). Median age 41.7 years. (3.9y older than Spartanburg County; 4.8y older than South Carolina). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 78% White (non-Hispanic) and 12% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.28). 51% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,837 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 49% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 39 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 11.4% from 804 (2022) to 896 (2024) — about 19.1× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,001 (extrapolated at 5.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,153.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 56,216 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 11.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 804 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 896 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 896 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 1,153 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 41.7y is 2.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 41.7 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 13.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 896 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 119 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 242.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 403.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 132 |
| Population under 18 | 119 |
| Median age | 41.7 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 896 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.28 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 665 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 93 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 33 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 27.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.1% |
| Black population | 11.7% (vs South Carolina 21.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.7% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 78.1% (vs South Carolina 60.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 537 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 349 |
| Share born in this state | 59.9% |
| Share born in another state | 40.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 39.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 14 |
| From Europe | 12 |
Households & Family Composition
350 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 51% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 165 families, 12% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 96 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 165 |
| Married couples with children | 20 |
| Single-parent households | 4 |
| Average household size | 2.44 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 29.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 3 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 3 |
| Family households | 179 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 51.1% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 350 households (vs South Carolina 9,745) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 26.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,837 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 26.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 49,444 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 47,607 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,837 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 40 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 10 residents live in group quarters (1.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 10 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Cherokee |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 29.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 37.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45021 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Cherokee County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,800 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45021 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Cherokee County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 41.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 35.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 39.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 57,300 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.60 |
| Family Score · Schools | 6 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 13.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 896, booming, established, working-class, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 896 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Cherokee County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade